DrThanh Nguyen

Overview: Dr Nguyen is an expert in soft soils, soil stabilization, and transportation geotechnics, with a particular focus on eco-friendly and low-carbon approaches such as biodegradable materials and microbially induced processes (EcoGeo Lab). He has impressively proved his research leadership through numerous prestigious Awards and notable funding record. He was the only Geotechnical Engineering recipient for the super-competitive (approx. 15% successful rate) ARC DECRA Fellowship/Award 2023. He also received UTS Chancellor’s Fellowship 2023 and JSPS Japan Fellowship 2020, all of which are reputed worldwide. He has contributed to securing approx. $4.0 million research funding, including lead and co-CI through ARC and other competitive schemes.

Industry & Academic Experiences: Nguyen's research grows on a rigorous and well industry-academia balanced background achieved through various key industry and research projects such as ground improvement using the combined PVD-Vacuum Preloading (http://www.geoharbour.com/, 2009-2010) and soft soil stabilization using Cement Deep Mixing for a $2 billion international Port (https://www.fudotetra.co.jp/en/, 2012-2013). He has international research experience across Japan (Saitama Uni), Singapore (NTU) and Australia (Wollongong Uni and current UTS).

Interests and Capabilities: Nguyen is passionate about sustainable approaches for geotechnical purposes including the use of eco-friendly materials and bio-based mechanisms. Examples of his efforts are (i) the development of biodegradable (natural fibres) drains for soft ground improvement, and (ii) the advanced particle-scale mechanism and design framework for biopolymer soil stabilisation under transport infrastructure. In the past decade, he has had great opportunities to work in one of the most advanced and productive geotechnical labs in the world at UOW and UTS, arranging from microscale techniques (Micro-CT, Optical Microscopic & Image processing) to large-scale unique cyclic test rigs. Nguyen is also exploring new advancements in applied AI/machine learning, multiphase computations (DEM & its coupling) as well as addressing burning issues of human race such as climate change and environmental degradation.

Awards & Recognitions: Nguyen's outstanding research has been acknowledged nationally and internationally through various renowned Awards, e.g., Editor's Choice Paper Award in ASCE JGGE 2025; 2022 IACMAG John Carter Award; 2021 ISSMGE Bright Spark Lecture Award; 2021 Robert Quigley Award (commendation) by Canadian Geotechnical Society; 2020 Best Paper Award (Editor's Choice) in Canadian Geotechnical Journal; 2018 Top 4 Best Papers shortlisted for the UK Telford Premiums Prize/Medal; 2017 AGS Outstanding Research Award; among many others for best papers/presentations across different conferences/workshops. He was also recipients of the prestigious Prime Minister’s Australia Asia Endeavour Award (2014-2017)- a globally competitive program administered by Australian Government (https://endeavour.education.gov.au/endeavour); the Japan ADB-JSP Award (2010-2012) - a highly competitive selection across more than 40 Asian countries; and Loa Thanh Award for Top Best National Bachelor Theses (2008), Vietnam. 

Professional Activities: While effectively contributing to research supervision and teaching, Nguyen is an invited reviewer for Australian Research Council (ARC), Australian Synchrotron ANSTO, Swiss SNSF, and many other well-known journals/conferences. He is a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) conferred by Engineers Australia, also a member of Australian Geomechanics Society (AGS), Japanese Geotechnical Society (JGS), Vietnamese Geotechnical Society (VSSMGE), and former member of American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE, 2020-2023). He has actively delivered presentations/lectures over different international conferences/workshops, and served in organizing/technical committee for several international events such as the 5th GEOTEC Hanoi 2023, the 5th ICTG Sydney 2024, etc.